Santa Anita: Closer Looks for June 12, 2014

Race 1

Short Heat Wave

Forced to steady in educational debut; dam was unraced; one of 3 siblings won; that runner, Short Route, took 3 of 12, earned over $200K, was sprint only; needs a turn around.

Missing Groom

Lack of speed a concern, coming off mirror races, and note arguably the best race came for this pilot; 3/9 show horse cashed twice since the last in a $40K starter; don't ignore.

Golden Chalice

Shorter trip could be just what the good doctor ordered; 3 for 30 dam earned over $100K, was dirt route only; 3 of 5 siblings won; top kin Minor Issues won 4 times in a long career, took one route, earned over $100K; should be fit enough by now; respect.

Prospector Alley

Off a career Beyer and he was inching toward the winner late; 2nd and 4th finishers 4/26 graduated next out and the winner took a state-bred $20K optional, then was 4th beaten beaten over 4 in a $40K optional; backers can point to fact kin Dan and Sheila was a double route winner and near $180K earner; the hotter the pace the better for this racer today.

Wicked Heat

Like fact this racer and show horse were clear two back; soph could be more relaxed and aware of surroundings with the blinks off here; there are successful routers in the tree including full sis and near $120K earner Central Heat; Talamo 3 for 8 for this barn in the last year.

Cinematic Cat

Can't be thrilled the way he gave up the ghost late in last; at least half sis Our New Tale did win routing in the minor leagues; like the series of drills since last fiasco and this runner can give you a :45 and small change half if in the mood; look for Valdivia to send hard with a theft on the agenda. - Brian Mulligan

Race 3

Slew's Charm

She ran evenly when she debuted with open maidens and figures to improve in her second start while facing Cal-breds; 2 of 3 sibs are winners including full-brother Gangnam Guy who placed in a couple of stakes as a 2-year-old last year; the other winning sib is stakes-placed Indian Nam who won 4 sprints; she could be very dangerous if she breaks alertly from her inside post; big shot.

Fortune's Daughter

Second from Harrington has a solid set of works showing and the past five years the barn has an 11 percent strike rate with first-time starting juveniles; Grade 1 winning sire earned most of his $1.1 million on turf; this is his first crop and his only starter didn't win; stakes-placed dam won 4 races, 2 on turf, and earned $169K;all 4 sibs are winners but no real stars in the family and none won at two; prefer her stablemate.

Take It Easyplease

Ministers Wild Cat 12 percent with debuting juveniles; stakes-placed dam won her 2-year-old debut; lone sibling won his second start at two in a $40K maiden claiming race at Del Mar last year; the past five years Miyadi has a 14 percent with first-time starting juveniles; works at Golden Gate a bit on the slow slide, however; prefer others.

Line Leader

That was a nice debut and it was expected as she was sent off as the favorite; she's had a couple of decent works and figures to move forward for Bonde who the past five years has an 18 percent strike rate with 2-year-old maidens making their second start; she's the first foal out of a mare that won a couple of sprints and earned $65K; big shot.

Time for Action

There is excellent win-early breeding here with three of her four sibs winning at two including full-brother Time for a Hug who won his debut last year; the other sib is also a winner who finished third in his second start as a juvenile; Solis can have them ready to roll first time out (14% the past five years with debuting 2-year-olds), and she had a couple of sharp works here before heading to Orange County; playable.

Desert Thief

She was the inside horse in the duel with LIne Leader and she held on well to finish third in her debut; easy to imagine her improving with a race behind her and she probably won't mind being the outside speed this time; all 3 sibs to race won at two including $213K stakes placed Daylight Storm who won 7 sprints; note the sharp work following the big effort first time out; the pick.

American Charm

She was sent off at 73-1 when she debuted in the same race Slew's Charm exits and she broke sharply but couldn't keep up and never really got involved; blinkers come off for her second start but she will need to improve substantially to make an impact here; 3 of her 5 sibs are winners including full-brother Homeland Hero who won as a 2-year-old last year; longshot players will note the big payoff the barn had with Gutierrez riding El Tovar last Saturday; we're going to pass.

Luv Is I

Debuts for Miller who the past five years has a 20 percent strike rate with first-time starting juveniles; sire just 2/41 with debuting 2-year-olds; dam won 4 races at two including a couple of minor stakes in the Pacific Northwest; this is her first foal; solid jockey-trainer stats showing; would like to have seen at least one work here, though; some things to like. - Randy Goulding

Race 4

Oliver's Tale

Draws the fence for the stretchout in his return from the freshening after wiring a softer bunch through quick splits down the hill; 5 year old should be firing from the bell in this one and though he's quick, there is no shortage of speed in here that will push him along; pedigree suggests he'll be better at one turn trips but he's the one to catch.

Jules Journey

Wasn't beaten much at a slightly longer trip when stepped up to this level last time; he rallied into a quick clip to beat cheaper 2 back and maybe the slight cut back here brings some more late punch out in him while tackling a field full of speed; thinking he's the one they'll have to fear late.

Better Bet

Statebred tries open company in his return from the break; he's yet to run particularly fast and his slow score over cheaper when last seen did come with the aid of soft easy splits; he worked well at Los Al for this last weekend but he'll need to improve off his turf debut in order to have a say in the outcome in this spot.

Super Ability

Six year old makes his first start of the year with sizzling recent drills on his tab; his better efforts have come on or near the front end but he did show in his final start prior to the break that he can fight off a pace rival and kick away; with a sharp fresh maiden score on his page he's one to consider in this spot.

Boyett

Gets a new pilot for the cut back to a flat mile after lasting to finally break through his preliminary allowance condition while earning a career best number along the way; gelding has never been off the board in 5 local sod spins and in any of his 7 surface spins overall; concern is that he wants the front end for his best and it's not going to be an easy task for him in here but if he's able to settle he could prove a danger at this shorter trip.

Avare

Steps up for his first start under this new outfit's care after winning the photo over cheaper at this trip early last month; he's had a little time to get over the try and he does like the green; barn has been on a poor roll with this type first time back but this gelding does possess the ability to track that could prove effective from this outside slot in a field full of front runners. - Steve Grabowski

Race 5

Tribal Mystery Man

Sire gets about 14% winners from his first out runners and the dam was 0 for 3 prior to dropping winners from all 4 of her foals to race; works are ok but the inside draw is no bargain for a newcomer at this trip; barn is certainly capable of getting them ready to fire right out of the box.

Warren's Sunny Boy

Didn't do much in either of his dirt starts and now he'll move inside for another crack at the level; Cal bred is out of a dam who won 3 sprints and dropped a 6 time sprint winner so maybe this guy will improve with racing, but off what he's done so far we can only watch him here.

Gospel Music

Turns back to sprint and drops in half in claiming price after failing to go on from a wide spot in his initial route try; gelding ran a big one 2 back at the trip while facing statebreds and if he's able to get back to it he's certainly good enough to beat these; one to down.

Flash Fermelia

Sire gets 8% winners from his newcomers and the SP dam was a 3 time sprint winner and 195K earner who dropped 2 sprint winners from 4 foals to race; recent drills are solid and he will get Lasix for his unveiling; barn is profitable first out in the claiming ranks.

Nine of Hearts

Sire hits with 10% of his debut runners and the dam was winless from 6 starts prior to dropping 2 limited winners; works aren't much and this little known outfit hasn't had any recent luck with its first time starters.

Cache Wanted

Adds the hood for just his fourth start and cuts back to a shorter trip after again proving little match for the winner; maybe he offers some improved lick here and one of his 2 sibs to race is a sprint winner; tough to make a solid case for him turning things around in here.

Lay It On

Drops below the price this outfit took him for 2 back after failing to finish his last for twice this price; maybe the new hood helps as he turns back to sprint and now he'll get a weight break with the triple bug named, but he's shown very little thus far; can't use him.

Omar Little

Beaten odds on chalk returns from 4 months on the shelf while dropping below the level of this outfit's last out claim; he looked pretty good on the front end in that one and his prior troubled try, also at this trip, earned him a better number; don't like the fact he's in cheap off the break, but the barn has had recent luck with this type and this guy's speed should serve him quite well today; they'll have to run him down.

Chattering Class

Showed speed at a longer trip last time and just missed holding the place while dropped to this level; gelding ran well at the trip 3 back and maybe he's able to find a tracking spot with the move to an outside starting slot; improved price warrants him a look.

Triunfo

He's got some early foot and is experienced from an outside draw; effort 2 back at this level was solid and he's another who could find a solid tracking spot from which to push the pace from the bell; with the regression behind him he could be the one to spruce up the exotics here. - Steve Grabowski

Race 6

Mighty Katherine

Debuts for Conlon who the past five years is 2/25 with first-time starters; sire just 6 percent with first timers; dam didn't race but both of her previous foals can run; 2-year-old Grade 3 winner Mighty Caroline won her debut at two; Renee's Queen won the $100K Oak Tree Juvenile Turf; works are just average and debuting coming down the hill leaving from this post can be a tricky proposition; prefer others.

Mango Reward

Showed some early interest before fading when she debuted May 11 and she should be a bit tighter for this; dam won on the lawn; both sibs are winners and one of them, Celtic Heir, is a turf winner; she's had a couple of decent works since she ran and she should improve with a race behind her; maybe for the bottom half of the exotics but that's about it.

La Pequena Gigi

She's had a couple of good efforts coming down the hill including her latest where she was moved up to second after getting bumped a couple of times in the same race Mango Reward exits; she broke on top but then dropped back so maybe the addition of blinkers will help keep her focused right from the start; big shot.

Bird In Love (GB)

Drops into a maiden claiming race for the first time and the past five years O'Neill has a 21 percent strike rate with horses taking the plunge; horse that won her race two back won a $25K optional race on the lawn at Golden Gate in her next start; Burning Arch, second, came back to finish second again going long in a MSW race here; her lack of speed won't help her but she has to be considered a major player with the big drop in class.

Nikki Allyn

That was a very good effort in her debut in the common race and the past five years Miller has an 18 percent strike rate with maidens making their second start; she looks like the one they will have to catch and unless one of the first time starters has some speed she should have an easy time making the lead; half to $676K Grade 2 winner Duff could be gone if she breaks on top; the pick.

Bow Tie Belle

Homebred couldn't keep up in her first two starts coming down the hill with straight maidens and should appreciate the easier company she is facing here; she comes out of the same race as Bird In Love and she wasn't much of a factor but she did finish less than two lengths behind Bird; she is eligible to improve in just her third start but her lack of speed is a big concern so we're going to look elsewhere.

My Sweet Afleet

Debut wasn't anything to get excited about and now she'll try turf in her second start; sire is 8 percent with first-time turfers and 10 percent overall with turf runners; she's the first foal out of unraced mare; her younger sibling finished second in a maiden special weight race on the main track here May 22; this gal will need to pick things up to contend here; passing.

Streamliner

Debuts for Jones who the past five years has a 12 percent strike rate with first time starters -13 percent if they were debuting on turf; sire hasn't had a debut winner from 12 starters but he is 2/5 with horses trying turf for the first time; dam was unraced; two sibs,one winner who has won three-times on the main track but is 0/2 on turf; she has a solid set of works showing so it wouldn't be surprising to see her make some kind of impact; consider for the exotics. - Randy Goulding

Race 8

Kessabtsi

Never been a big fan of the rail on this course unless one has contending speed; can't remember seeing many runners over the decades cutting back to a sprint and winning after going a mile and a half but do remember Allen Jerkens pulling off that feat back in the day; 2nd, 3rd and 8th finishers two back cashed next out; needs very best.

Boozer

This is his venue; slight improvement off the last Beyer and he will be a handful; like fact he has speed but has proven he can track close up and cash; Talamo got a chance to figure out what's under the hood; all systems go.

Mal Verde

Love fact they did not race him back to action but let him recoup from the clever debut; he gets some style from double turn winning dam that banked over $180K; respect.

Eddie's Turn

McCann's Mojave 1 for 8 with first-time turfers; sire took debut at 2, won several stakes including a Grade 2, banked over $1.5 million, won on grass first time he tasted the stuff; 2 of dam's 6 wins came on grass as she banked over $200K; this is her first to race; 5th and 10th finishers took MSW events next out and 3 others ran in the money; love fact he trained farther than this race is carded.

Pressure Time

Green in the debut, the rest of the efforts have been solid; the freshening has done him a world of good and there is plenty of speed in here to help produce the late charge; don't sell too short.

Valentine Boy

Must prove it on grass but the drill last Friday was solid; maybe he just needed the last effort; 3/28 winner repeated in a $25K optional, then was 3rd beaten 3 quarters in a $40K claimer; place horse 3/28 beat $32K claimer, then repeated against $75K sellers with a 92 Beyer; may need softer to shine.

Crimson Giant

Value like 44, 30 and 40-1 has been his calling card in the gimmicks; can't boost a one for 54 runner with any degree on confidence, but could easily be enticed into throwing him into the gimmick hoping for a game changer.

Love Rules All

Off rail for this, he has fired every time; place horse in maiden breaker graduated in a MSW by 4, then won a $40K optional event with a 77 Beyer at GG on May 25; there is not turf success in the tree but backers can point to fact kin Tribesman won several stakes and banked over $550K; fresh and dangerous.

Old Man Lake

Only beaten a length and a quarter in best effort on the hill; show horse in Phoenix finale cashed next out in a $12.5K N2L Canterbury fray; best of 38 bullet in the holster; looms late threat if at all.

Ashleyluvssugar

Unraced Game Plan has hit with about 12% of his first-time turfers in a 121-horse study; dam was 0 for 4; both siblings won on grass including double grass winner and near $100K earner Ashley's Bambino; nearly 3 clear in last after slow start and connections thought enough of him to try the stakes; try to get a look at him on the track. - Brian Mulligan